The Republic of Nepal
🟢 Lite — Quick Review (1h–1d)
Rapid summary for last-minute revision before your exam.
Nepal is a landlocked sovereign state in South Asia, situated along the southern slopes of the Himalayan mountain range. It occupies an area of approximately 147,516 square kilometres, stretching from the tropical lowlands of the Terai plains in the south to the world’s highest peaks in the north, including Mount Everest (Sagarmatha, 8,848.86 metres). Nepal is renowned for its extraordinary geographic diversity—ranging from the Himalayan peaks to sub-tropical forests—and for its rich cultural heritage, blending Hindu and Buddhist traditions across dozens of ethnic groups and languages.
Nepal has undergone remarkable political transformation since the 1990s, transitioning from a Hindu monarchy to a secular federal democratic republic. The monarchy, which had ruled Nepal for over 240 years under the Shah dynasty, was abolished in 2008 following the 2006 People’s Movement and the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The 2015 Constitution formally established Nepal as a federal democratic republic with a presidential system.
Key Facts:
- Capital: Kathmandu
- Area: approximately 147,516 square kilometres
- Population: approximately 30 million
- 14 Zones; 77 Districts
- Languages: Nepali is the official language; over 120 other languages are spoken
- Currency: Nepalese Rupee (NPR)
- President: Head of State (ceremonial)
- Prime Minister: Head of Government (executive powers)
- Seven provinces, 753 local governments
⚡ Exam tip: Nepal LLB admission questions frequently test the capital (Kathmandu), the number of provinces (7), and the year Nepal became a republic (2008). These are basic factual questions that appear regularly.
🟡 Standard — Regular Study (2d–2mo)
Standard content for students with a few days to months.
Geography and Regions
Nepal’s geography is extraordinarily varied within a relatively small area:
Himalayan Region (Northern Nepal): The northern region contains eight of the world’s ten highest mountains, including Mount Everest (Sagarmatha/N海拔 8,848.86m), Kangchenjunga (8,586m), Lhotse, Makalu, and Dhaulagiri. This region is sparsely populated due to extreme climate and terrain, with Sherpa and other ethnic groups who have adapted to high-altitude life.
Hill Region (Central Nepal): The mid-mountain region (often called the Pahad) includes the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding hills. This is the most populated region, characterised by terraced farmland, traditional villages, and a rich cultural heritage. The Newar people, indigenous to the Kathmandu Valley, have a distinct cultural identity.
Terai Region (Southern Nepal): The lowland plains (Terai) along the border with India are Nepal’s most productive agricultural region. This region is home to the Madhesi community—people of Indian descent who have historically faced discrimination. The Terai is also the most politically significant region for Nepal’s current dynamics, as Madhesi parties have been key actors in constitutional debates.
Political History
Monarchy (1768-2008): Nepal was unified in 1768 by Prithvi Narayan Shah, who conquered the Kathmandu Valley and established the Shah dynasty. The monarchy was absolute until 1990, when the Jana Andolan (People’s Movement) forced King Birendra to accept a constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy under the 1990 Constitution.
Civil War (1996-2006): The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) launched a “People’s War” in 1996, seeking to overthrow the monarchy and establish a communist republic. The conflict lasted 10 years and resulted in approximately 17,000 deaths. The Royal Nepalese Army was deployed against the insurgents.
Transition (2006-2008): The Jana Andolan II (People’s Movement) of April 2006 restored democracy, ended royal authority, and established an interim parliament. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (November 2006) ended the civil war and initiated the peace process. Nepal declared itself a republic on 28 May 2008, ending the 240-year-old Shah monarchy.
Constitutional Development (2008-2015): A Constituent Assembly was elected in 2008 to draft a new constitution. After seven years of deliberation, the 2015 Constitution was promulgated on 20 September 2015.
Government Structure Under the 2015 Constitution
Head of State — President: The President is the Head of State and is elected by an Electoral College comprising members of the Federal Parliament and Provincial Assemblies. The President’s role is largely ceremonial; executive power is exercised by the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. The President can declare a state of emergency with parliamentary approval.
Head of Government — Prime Minister: The Prime Minister is the Head of Government and must have the support of a majority in the House of Representatives. The Prime Minister leads the Council of Ministers, sets government policy, and is accountable to Parliament.
Federal Parliament: Bicameral legislature:
- House of Representatives (Pratinidhi Sabha): 275 members elected by mixed-member proportional representation
- National Assembly (Rashtriya Sabha): 59 members elected by provincial and local representatives
Seven Provinces
The 2015 Constitution created seven provinces:
- Province No. 1 (Bagarmatha) — capital Biratnagar
- Province No. 2 (Madhesh) — capital Janakpur
- Province No. 3 (Bagmati) — capital Hetauda
- Province No. 4 (Gandaki) — capital Pokhara
- Province No. 5 (Lumbini) — capital Butwal
- Province No. 6 (Karnali) — capital Surkhet
- Province No. 7 (Sudurpashchim) — capital Dhangadhi
Economic Overview
Nepal is one of the poorest countries in Asia by GDP per capita. Key economic features:
- Agriculture employs approximately 65% of the workforce
- Remittances from Nepali workers abroad (primarily in the Gulf states and Malaysia) are a major source of foreign exchange
- Tourism is a significant sector (Himalayan trekking, mountaineering, cultural tourism)
- Hydroelectric power development is a major potential resource — Nepal has significant untapped hydropower potential
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Confusing Nepal’s capital (Kathmandu) with other cities
- Forgetting that Nepal became a republic in 2008, not 2015 (2015 was the Constitution)
- Not distinguishing between the President (ceremonial Head of State) and the Prime Minister (Head of Government)
- Confusing the 1990 Constitution (constitutional monarchy) with the 2015 Constitution (federal republic)
- Forgetting that Nepal is landlocked and borders India and China only
Problem-Solving Strategy:
- When answering factual questions, verify the specific year and event
- For constitutional questions, note the transition from monarchy to republic
- Consider the geographic and ethnic diversity and how it relates to federalism
🔴 Extended — Deep Study (3mo+)
Comprehensive coverage for students on a longer study timeline.
The Shah Dynasty: Historical Background
The Shah dynasty ruled Nepal from 1768 until 2008, a period of approximately 240 years. The dynasty was founded by Prithvi Narayan Shah, who unified Nepal by conquering the Kathmandu Valley and the surrounding principalities. The Shah kings maintained Nepal’s isolation from international relations until the 19th century.
King Mahendra (ruled 1955-1972) established the “partyless” panchayat system of governance, which lasted until 1990. King Birendra (ruled 1972-2001) introduced the 1990 Constitution following the first Jana Andolan, establishing a constitutional monarchy.
King Dipendra (ruled 2001-2001, in practice only during the massacre) acceded briefly following a mysterious massacre in which his father King Birendra, mother Queen Aishwarya, and other royals were killed. The massacre remains unexplained.
King Gyanendra (ruled 2001-2008) assumed direct rule in 2005, suspended the constitution, and imposed a royal crackdown on political activities. This triggered the Jana Andolan II of 2006, which restored democracy and led to the abolition of the monarchy.
The Maoist Movement
The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda), launched an armed insurgency in 1996. The Maoists established parallel “people’s governments” in rural areas, conducted land reforms, and built a substantial military force (the People’s Liberation Army). Their “people’s war” strategy involved:
- Encirclement of cities from the countryside
- Development of base areas and people’s courts
- Recruitment of fighters, including children
- Use of guerrilla tactics
The conflict ended with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2006 and the integration of Maoist forces into the Nepalese army and police.
Mount Everest and National Identity
Mount Everest (known as Sagarmatha in Nepali and Chomolungma in Tibetan) is central to Nepal’s international identity. At 8,848.86 metres (revised 2020 measurement), it is the world’s highest mountain. Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay made the first successful ascent in 1953, and Nepal’s Sherpa community has since become synonymous with high-altitude mountaineering support.
Nepal’s Ethnic and Linguistic Diversity
Nepal is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in South Asia. Major ethnic groups include:
- Brahmin and Chhetri: The traditional elite castes; largest groups
- Newar (Newars): Indigenous to the Kathmandu Valley; rich cultural heritage
- Madhesi: People of Indian origin living in the Terai plains
- Tamang: Tibetan-Burmese ethnic group from the hills
- Sherpa: High-altitude dwellers related to Tibetans
- Rai and Limbu: Eastern hill peoples with distinct languages
- Dalits: Historically marginalised communities outside the caste system
Over 120 languages are spoken, belonging to Indo-Aryan and Tibeto-Burman language families. Nepali (a Indo-Aryan language related to Hindi) is the official language.
Nepal’s Relations with India and China
Nepal is uniquely positioned between India and China, the world’s two most populous nations. Nepal has deep cultural and economic ties with India (open border, shared Hindu heritage, extensive trade) and increasing engagement with China (particularly for infrastructure development and hydropower investment). Nepal’s “balanced foreign policy” seeks to maintain good relations with both neighbours while preserving sovereignty.
The 2015 Indian Border Blockade
A significant crisis in Nepal’s post-constitution period was an unofficial blockade by India in 2015-2016, which Nepal alleged was punishment for the constitution’s perceived marginalisation of Madhesi interests. India denied the blockade was official policy. The blockade created severe fuel and goods shortages and highlighted Nepal’s economic vulnerability given its dependence on Indian transit routes.
WASSCE Examination Patterns:
LOE Nepal questions frequently test:
- What is the capital of Nepal? (Answer: Kathmandu)
- When did Nepal become a republic? (Answer: 28 May 2008)
- How many provinces does Nepal have? (Answer: 7)
- Which mountain is the highest in the world and located in Nepal? (Answer: Mount Everest / Sagarmatha)
- Who were the first climbers to summit Mount Everest? (Answer: Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953)
⚡ Pro Exam Tip: In Nepal LLB admission tests, always distinguish between the year Nepal became a republic (2008) and the year the 2015 Constitution was promulgated. The 2015 Constitution formalised the federal republican structure but the republic itself was declared in 2008. Also note that Nepal’s President is ceremonial; the Prime Minister holds executive power.
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